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Sunday, October 10, 2010

Sunny days & great big fat crochet

We've had some really beautiful days here lately. Recently, I made a small kitchen rug for Jon's mom.

I like crochet because it's very forgiving. And it's quick. And fun. And relaxing. But mostly forgiving - you can pretty much do your own thing and stuff still turns out great. :)

I didn't really use a pattern or anything. Just work up your first row of single crochets until it looks about right for the center, then turn, putting a few extra stitches in the end to make up for the turn and just keep going to your heart's content 'til you're happy. Like I said, very forgiving craft, that crochet. (If you want some actual real steps on how I did this, contact me and I'd be glad to help with more detailed instructions.)

Anyway, it worked up in a few hours. Probably would've been less than that -but I had a really great "helper". So...you know how that goes.

This kind of thing is really fun and easy to do. I also have another great big - like huge - full room-sized one of these that's been in progress since last year. All kinds of colors. A project like this is great for when your hands want to be busy but you're uninspired or just too tired to focus on anything more complex. Here we go - picture of the big one.

As you can see, I get a lot of help around here...

UPDATE: Due to popular request, I've created a vlog tutorial series on this project. If you want more detailed instruction on this project, please visit the links below. If you have questions after that - I'd be glad to help!

60 comments:

Love it! Looks like a great project to use up all my bits and pieces of fabric I just don't have the heart to throw away - just need to get some helpers like yours ;-)Thanks for sharingLinda / www.paperphine.com

Hmm...I just pulled out the needle and surprisingly there is no size on it. Measuring the diameter - I'd say it's 5/8" or 1 1/2 cm wide.

I used a variety of materials - mostly sheets but sometimes old blankets or curtains. Sheets I cut in strips 3-4" wide. And blankets (like fleece thickness) no more than 2-3". Thanks for your interest!

Oh, I LOVE this! What a great way to have fun while relaxing!! I can crochet a chain, that's it. So.... how are your circles "attached?" Do you loop into a circular row every X number of loops; or, maybe going back and attaching after? If you get a chance to answer, just pretend you are talking to a 6 yr. old, and that should do it!Thanks!

Lol! I started this by chaining maybe 10 - can't remember exactly - whatever looked right - and then slip stitching together to create a circle. Then single crochet in that round all the way around and slip stitch together again.

In the first rows, I was slip stitching each row to the beginning stitch then chain one to jump up to go around again. But after a while I would lose track of where my row started (and honestly you could probably just do this from the beginning) - so I just kept going. Around and around and around. Super easy. No counting.

The one tip I can give is if the rug starts curling up on you, it's too tight. You need to add a crochet here and there (I'd do one additional crochet like every 3-5 crochets or so). And if you start seeing it ripple, you've got too many stitches - start skipping occasionally. Again, like every one out of five. If you can't quite get it right even doing those two things, don't worry - the next few rows should even it out anyway. You'll get the hang of it after a while.

Hi Kathleen! I posted most of the instructions above (in the comments) already. Please feel free to email me if you need more detail though and I'll try to do a step by step for you. Thanks for stopping in!

Hi Alex! Nope - this method uses crochet. I know there are probably other ways to do similar rugs, like braiding or knotting - but I don't know how to do those.

But you really only need to know the very very basics to do this project. YouTube is a great (free!) source for picking up the basic techniques and it'd be a great project for you to learn on! Feel free to email me if you need help!

I was wondering what you used for the crocheting? Did you just buy some fabric, make it into strips and then tie them together and make a ball? I'd love to make one of these and I would know how but I just can't figure out what it is you used.

I was so inspired by your rug that I made one for myself! But to get a more uniform look, I very quickly machine stitched each strip together. It took some time but in the end it really made for a very put together finished project :) I LOVED that nothing about this is precise. Some of my stips ended up in a less than straight line with jagged edges and whatnot and you can't tell a single bit when looking at the rug. Thank you for you inspiration!

That is so cool, Amy! I'm so glad you were inspired! And I love that you did your own thing with it. I'd love to see pics of yours! I know what you mean - my strips were so crazy - but you'd never really know by looking at the rug :)

This is really lovely; I have so much scrap material, and I've always wanted to give crocheting a proper go, I think I'll give it a shot! This post has made me follow your blog, keep posting excellent things!

Hi Diana! I can't contact you b/c your profile is private, so hopefully you get this! I did a series of 3 "vlogs" explaining this whole process. There's a link to the first one in the original post. Have fun and let me know if you have any questions!

I am so in love with this idea! I haven't crocheted in years but I'm going to give it a shot. I cleaned out my hubby's closet and got about 20 shirts that aren't good enough to donate so I'm going to cut into strips. I think as I get to the end of each strip, I will do a quick blanket stitch to attach the next one. I think I'll get a good size rug for in front of the kitchen sink. :o) Thanks!!

Thank you SO much for sharing this!! I have always wanted to own a rug like this but they were just so expensive! Now, I can make my own!!! This is definitely going on my to do list!! Thanks again for sharing!! And, your helpers are precious!!

Unfortunately, one sheet won't make any rugs. :) If you look at the pics, you can see the color changes. Each color change is one sheet (sometimes two). I made a small kitchen rug (approx 3-4' x 2') and I thiiiink it took 4 sheets. I'm not positive on that though. Hope that helps!

Aw, your welcome! Thanks for sharing your pic with me! I'm going to be doing a compilation post soon of all the rugs people have sent me over the last year or so. It's so fun seeing all you guys' work!

Has anyone used t-shirt strips to crochet one of these round rugs? I think that would work well too--as you stretch the strips, they roll up to look like yarn! You would need a lot of shirts, but considering my kids just cleaned out their closets, I might be able to make one! I'll let you know!

Hi there! I've heard from lots of readers that they've used a variety of things to make these rugs. One reader's grandmother used to even use old pantyhose (all her friends would give them to her too)! I'm sure Tshirt material would work great and be a super soft rug. Would love to see pics if you make one!

This is simply Beautiful. I have ALWAYS wanted to make one of these, but never have. After watching the videos, I went to the thrift store and got me some sheets. I am loving making this and will send you a picture of what I have made so far, along with my own little helper :)

Used to make these with my Grandmother ... *crochet hook not required.* SImply braid long strands and use a large needle with heavy thread or hemp cord to join the rows as you form a circular or oblong shape. {Thanks for the lovely stroll down Memory Lane!}

Oh wow I'm so into the same thing..isn't it awesome, and so addictive!! I just love it..in fact just did a blog about mine..then I see your blog today..you get lots of kitty help too I see..haha Mine loves to help out and supervise..ya know making sure I'm doin it right an all..Ha!! okay so anyways just wanted to say awesome blog and happy fat crocheting to you!! =D I jus love it!!

About Me

Hi there! I'm Cassandra. I craft. I create. I cook and garden and read and try to leave tiny footprints (environmentally speaking). I love learning more all the time and now I can share with you my journeys through it all. (I love all messages and emails! So don't be shy :) PooknflipProductions[at]gmail[dot]com)